Comparing E905A - mineral oil vs E909 - Spermaceti

Overview

E905A - mineral oil

Mineral oil (E905a) is a highly refined, food‑grade oil derived from petroleum and used mainly to make foods shiny and to keep them from sticking. It’s approved in both the United States and the European Union with strict purity specifications and restricted technical uses to protect consumers.

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E909 - Spermaceti

Spermaceti (E909) is a wax from the head oil of the sperm whale. It was once used to give candies and pills a smooth, glossy finish, but today it has been largely replaced by plant, insect, or mineral waxes because whale products are protected and alternatives work well.

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Synonyms
E905a
mineral oil
E909
Spermaceti
Functions
glazing agent
glazing agent
Origins
Mineral
Animal
Products

Found in 1,401 products

Found in 0 products

Search rank & volume
#6446K / mo🇺🇸U.S.
#2561.6K / mo🇺🇸U.S.
Awareness score

×4.78
over-aware

Awareness data is not available.

Search volume over time

Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

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Popular questions

  1. What is mineral oil used for?

    E905a mineral oil serves as a glazing and release agent in foods, keeps processing equipment lubricated, and appears in personal-care, pharmaceutical, and industrial products as a moisture-sealing or friction-reducing ingredient.

  2. Is mineral oil safe for skin?

    Refined cosmetic- or pharmaceutical-grade mineral oil is considered non-comedogenic and generally safe for most skin types, acting as an occlusive to reduce transepidermal water loss, though sensitive users can experience clogged pores or folliculitis.

  3. Is mineral oil edible?

    Food-grade mineral oil is approved for limited ingestion—such as functioning as a laxative or as the glazing agent E905a—provided intake stays within regulatory limits; industrial grades without purification are not safe to consume.

  4. Is mineral oil a laxative?

    Yes—oral and enema forms of mineral oil act as lubricant laxatives that soften stool and ease passage, though they are typically recommended only for short-term relief because long-term use can interfere with nutrient absorption and bowel function.

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  1. What is spermaceti used for?

    E909 is a whale-derived wax that was formerly used as a glazing/release (anti-sticking) agent on confectionery and some fruits.

  2. Is spermaceti still used?

    No—its use in foods is not authorized in the EU or US, and trade in whale products is widely prohibited; manufacturers use alternatives like carnauba or microcrystalline waxes.

  3. What does spermaceti look like?

    It is a hard, white, crystalline wax that is nearly odorless and tasteless, with a slightly oily feel.

  4. What was spermaceti used for?

    In foods it served as a glazing/anti-sticking agent (E909); outside food it was used for high-quality candles, ointments, and polishes.

  5. How much spermaceti is in a sperm whale?

    The spermaceti organ of a large sperm whale can contain up to about 1,900 liters (roughly 500 U.S. gallons) of spermaceti.

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